“Pilgrimage location” might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of a Dutch seaside resort. Yet, Noordwijk has a rich and fascinating history. It stretches back millennia. Let’s explore the story of Noordwijk.
Noordwijk is a town and municipality in the west of the Netherlands. It sits in the province of South Holland. Noordwijk includes Noordwijk aan Zee and Noordwijk-Binnen. Noordwijk is known for its beaches and bulb flower fields. The municipality has a population of over 44,000.
Noordwijk aan Zee began as a fishing village around 1200. Fishing was the main industry until the 19th century. Tourism then began to grow. Today, Noordwijk aan Zee is a popular resort town. It has long sandy beaches. Over a million people stay overnight each year. Noordwijk aan Zee has a lighthouse and a rescue station. A small percentage of people speak the Noordwijks dialect. It is similar to Katwijks.
Noordwijk-Binnen became a pilgrimage location in 1429. This was due to the martyrdom of Priest Jeroen in 857. The Catholic and Protestant churches are named after him. Noordwijk-Binnen has retained its historic character. The Dutch Monument Law protects it. The area is important for bulb flower cultivation.
Noordwijk’s history goes back to 2000 BC. Traces of inhabitance have been found from this time. Priest Jeroen was tortured in 857. He may have been the first priest of Noordwijk. He was a Scottish Benedictine monk. Jeroen came to Noordwijk in 847. He wanted to carry out mission work and build a chapel. Normans beheaded him in 857. A Roman chapel was built in his honor in 980. This chapel became a place of pilgrimage. In 1429, the Bishop of Utrecht officially confirmed this.
In 1303, a large stone church was built. It was on the site of the chapel. It was called the Middle Age gothic Grote of St. Jeroens church. St. Jeroen’s skull was an important relic. The 80 years war put an end to this. Catholic objects were removed from the church. This included St. Jeroen’s skull. It is said that his head is buried somewhere in the church.
The first inhabitants of Noordwijk were likely fishermen. In 1444, a fire was built to help fishermen. It helped them find their way back to the beach at night. In 1474, Noordwijk had 38 ships. They caught herring, cod and plaice.
During the French occupation between 1795 and 1813, fishing suffered. Napoleon limited fishing. In 1868, the fleet had only 16 barges. By 1913, the last barge went to sea.
Noordwijk was known by different names over time. These included Northgo, Nordwige and Nortic. Noordwijk inhabitants were fishermen. They had a Protestant background. Noordwijk-Binnen was mainly bulb cultivation. Most people were Roman-Catholic.
In the Middle Ages, St. Barbara Convent was in Noordwijk-Binnen. Herb cultivation began here. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Noordwijk was the main herb center in the Netherlands. By the end of the 19th century, the herb industry disappeared. This was due to chemical medicines.
From 1880, bulb cultivation grew. By the end of the 19th century, there were 250 bulb growers. Tulips, daffodils and gladioli grew in the fields. In 1932, a Flora park was set up. Today, the Noordwijk bulb area covers 311 hectares.
Noordwijk became a seaside resort in 1866. The sea water was believed to have a cleansing effect. The Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin was built. The unique combination of beach and flowers made Noordwijk the ‘Floral seaside resort of Europe’.
Noordwijk continues to draw visitors. They come for its beaches, history and atmosphere. From its humble beginnings as a fishing village and pilgrimage site. Noordwijk has transformed into a vibrant destination. Its story is one of adaptation. It embraces change while preserving its unique heritage.